A classic but contemporary tale for 3-to-7-year-olds featuring a hilariously grumpy seafarer and her trusty dog sidekick who get swallowed by a whale. For fans of Caldecott Honor books Bear Came Along and Leave Me Alone.

Stoic seafarer Maude and her canine sidekick Claude head out to fish as they have done every day for many years. But this time, something unexpected happens. (Maude hates it when something unexpected happens.)

They get swallowed by a whale. What does one do when one is swallowed by a whale? Throw a farewell party, I guess. (Maude loves a good party.)

Hilarity ensues as more and more creatures get swallowed and Maude has to keep changing her party plans. (Maude does not love crowds.)

Will Maude and the whale part ways, or is this the end? (Maude would prefer it if we could hurry this up.)

Okay, okay. Read on to find out.

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ILLUSTRATOR INFO:

Illustrated by the incredible Kathryn Durst! Follow her on Instagram here!​

reviews
"Whale, That Was Unexpected is a seriously fun picture book collaboration between author Casey Lyall (Vampire Jam Sandwich) and illustrator Kathryn Durst (Polite Predators series) that features an eccentric, white-haired mariner who, with her loyal canine sidekick, faces down a whale of a situation with fourth-wall-breaking, unflappably dry wit...Lyall's matter-of-fact presentation of the farewell party solidly grounds the story in comical territory, and the accumulation of characters is a treat. Maude's and Claude's outsize personalities are magnified by Durst's descriptive art."
- Shelf awareness, starred review

"Art and text work delightfully together, each expanding the other, to create a sea story with attitude well suited for a lively read-aloud." 

- the Horn Book Review

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"Digitally enhanced charcoal-and-gouache art embraces the dark and drippy setting and offers a perfect contrast for everyone’s sanguine expressions and the witty illustrative details that cleverly support the plot. Maude’s clipped speech floats drolly in spacious bubbles while her no-nonsense breaking of the fourth wall tugs the reader into active narration, practically begging the final shanty to be sing-song chanted. A silly whale of a tale and a truly seaworthy selection for any read-aloud setting." 

- Booklist

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"Rendered in a blustery Northern Atlantic palette featuring pops of high saturation with a mix of gouache, charcoal, and digital media, Durst’s illustrations elevate a unique plot and comedic writing into an instant Wellermen for the wains. Maude and Claude’s deadpan reactions and mirroring, stout, grounded character designs make for inspired comedic contrast to the flailing kooky sea life and rushing waters. This readaloud will unite any group of kids into a boisterous ship’s crew with its rowdy repetition and intertextual dialogue, and sailors less self-possessed than Maude will also be glad to know this twosome survives to sail the seas again." 

- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

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"Stand aside, Pinocchio. There’s new whale bait in town, and she’s got her own kind of flair." 

- Kirkus reviews

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​lists

July/August 2026 Kids' Indie Next List

BOOKSHOP
Chapters Indigo

Barnes and Noble

Amazon
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE​